Volvo Ocean Race-Boats from Entering the Area of the Cold Dodging Icebergs

A huge iceberg of more than one kilometer extension forced the Volvo Ocean Race to change its limits of navigation in the fifth stage of the event. In the Southern Ocean and sailing at an average of 22 to 26 us, teams must respect the prohibition areas to avoid accidents. The ice block quoted was moving in the direction of the fleet, and the organization chose to move the current ice-bound route further north. The iceberg can walk in on speed of a mile per hour.

The giant ice block is not the only concern. The growlers-pieces of ice that break and float semi-submersos in cold water-are also a serious threat to the race. The boats will be penalized if they sail along these limits for hazardous areas.

And there’s more: the waters there are at temperatures ranging from 10 to -2 degrees. Don’t fall in the water is vital for the crews, since hypothermia can kill a person in 15 minutes. As if that weren’t enough, the storms are formed suddenly.

In any case, the crews enjoy the rest now was given the wave, which decreased since yesterday. “The last few days have been horrible for me personally,” explained FranVignale, reporter aboard the MAPFRE. His companion, Antonio “Neti” Cuervas Mons said things will get worse. “They’re going to be about 10 days complicated, passing cold and windy,” said the Spaniard.

In the afternoon this Friday (20), the Turks of Alvimedica appeared first, followed by Team Brunel, from Holland. The MAPFRE, the Brazilian André ‘Cheek’ Fonseca, is the fourth.

The expected date of arrival in Itajaí, in Santa Catarina, also changed, from April 7 to April 4. The reason is that the fleet is very fast since the departure of Auckland, last Tuesday. In all, the regatta has 6,776 nautical miles.